[09/06/12 - 12:49 PM]DirecTV and Brainstorm Media Partner to Present Socially Relevant and Critically Acclaimed Documentaries on TV and in Theaters This FallThe 12-part series will kick-off with the broadcast premiere of "Battle for Brooklyn" on Saturday, October 20.

[via press release from DirecTV]

DirecTV and Brainstorm Media Partner to Present Socially Relevant and Critically Acclaimed Documentaries on TV and in Theaters This Fall

"Something to Talk About" to Feature Broadcast Premieres of Award-Winning Documentaries, including "Battle for Brooklyn," and "Big Boys Gone Bananas!*," Exclusively on DirecTV's Audience Network and in Theatres

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- DirecTV's Audience Network, known for its daring entertainment programming, will take viewers a step further into the realm of the deeply provocative with the premiere of Something to Talk About, a series of socially and culturally relevant documentaries presented in association with Brainstorm Media, beginning in October exclusively on DirecTV. In certain cities, the films will be screened in theaters starting in late September and, in select locations, will include live discussions following the screenings.

The twelve-part series will kick-off with the broadcast premiere of BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN, on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. which will be followed by BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. From award-winning and acclaimed writers and directors, each documentary will include a special, hosted introduction and will conclude with a filmmaker interview that provides an update on the current state of the documentary issue. The films will also be available on DirecTV on Demand, DirecTV Everywhere, on home video and via electronic sell-thru.

"At Audience Network, we have had success in providing our customers with critically acclaimed, award-winning dramas and comedies," said Patty Ishimoto, VP Entertainment, G.M. of Audience Network & n3D. "With Something to Talk About, we are going even further with diverse and thought-provoking documentaries that will generate a spark among our viewers and engage them in a dialogue about the relevant, impactful events and topics these films address."

Meyer Shwarzstein, president of Brainstorm Media, stated, "Our team has been perfecting this idea for the past few years and we are thrilled that DirecTV has come on board. With their commitment to documentaries, their sophisticated audience and their willingness to support the filmmakers and movies, we couldn't be happier."

BATTLE for BROOKLYN is an intensely intimate look at the very public and passionate fight waged by owners and residents facing condemnation of their property to make way for the controversial Atlantic Yards project, a massive plan to build sixteen skyscrapers and a basketball arena for the New Jersey Nets in the heart of Brooklyn. Shot over seven years and compiled from almost 500 hours of footage, BATTLE for BROOKLYN is an epic tale of how far people will go to fight for what they believe in. The film is a character-driven verite that also addresses the broader social, economic, and political ramifications of condemnation and urban planning through interactions with individuals from all sides of the issue. The film is set to open theatrically on September 25th just before the arena, Barclay's Center, opens on September 28th. The film, which highlights speeches by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, architect Frank Gehry, Jay Z, Bruce Ratner, Steve Buscemi and others, is a primer on grassroots activism that will inspire people to look deeper into the stories that affect their lives.

In 2009, Swedish documentary filmmaker Fredrik Gertten's film BANANAS!* - recounting the lawsuit that twelve Nicaraguan plantation workers successfully brought against the fruit giant Dole Food Company - was selected for competition by the Los Angeles Film Festival. Just before the world premiere of the film, Gertten received word that the festival had decided to remove BANANAS!* from competition. The resultant legal and public relations battle with Dole Food Company is the focus of BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS!*, a classic David vs Goliath story - but it is more about freedom of speech and what happens to a documentary filmmaker when he goes up against a large corporation such as Dole Foods and how far Dole will go to shift the focus off of them and onto the filmmaker. Media spin, PR scare tactics, dirty tricks, lawsuits, and corporate bullying come into play to try and destroy the filmmaker. But, it is the people who ultimately prevail, thus creating a cautionary tale and a real life-lesson learning experience.

For more information on the live screenings, please consult http://somethingtotalkabout.us/.

About Brainstorm Media:

Founded in 1995, Brainstorm Media develops, produces and distributes films for theatrical, television, video and new media. The company releases films in traditional and untraditional ways. Current releases include; DARK HORSE, PAUL WILLIAMS: STILL ALIVE and LEAST AMONG SAINTS. Original productions include EPIX's A LIAR'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY: THE UNTRUE STORY OF MONTY PYTHON'S GRAHAM CHAPMAN, Chiller's THE AMERICAN SCREAM. Lifetime's A MOTHER'S NIGHTMARE and Syfy's BLOWING VEGAS OFF THE MAP.

About Something to Talk About

Presented by Brainstorm Media and DirecTV's AUDIENCE NETWORK, Something to Talk About will introduce a new, socially relevant and critically acclaimed documentary feature each month in a select group of theaters around the US and on the AUDIENCE NETWORK. Each film will include an introduction by a host and will have a filmmaker interview as final wraparound. In certain venues, the film will also be followed by a live discussion to engage the local community.

About DirecTV:

DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world's leading providers of digital television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to 33 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DirecTV offers its 19.9 million customers access to more than 170 HD channels and Dolby-Digital(R) 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM), Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 11 years running. DirecTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 12 million customers. DirecTV sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 60 percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DirecTV, please visit www.DirecTV.com.

About Audience Network:

The Audience Network is a unique and exclusive television experience available only to DirecTV subscribers. The channel first made its mark in 2008 (as The 101 Network) by partnering with NBC to produce and air three additional seasons of the Emmy Award-winning series Friday Night Lights and, more recently, became the exclusive home of the critically-acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning drama Damages, starring Glenn Close. The network has become the premier destination for smart, innovative and critically acclaimed TV fare as we search the globe for the best new series such as Hit & Miss (United Kingdom), Rake (Australia), Call Me Fitz and Less Than Kind (Canada). The Dan Patrick Show, and its companion series The Box Score, keep sports fans up to date with the latest sports talk. Viewers also enjoy the Guitar Center Sessions series and major events such as the annual DirecTV Celebrity Beach Bowl. For more info, please visit www.DirecTV.com/audience.